Electronic equipment having a miniaturized cell container having a securely locked cover with switch

ABSTRACT

An electronic equipment having a miniaturized cell container with a securely locked cell door includes a casing having an opening for receiving a cylindrical battery cell, a supporting member mounted within the casing and to a terminal plate rotatably mounted to the supporting member. The terminal plate includes a terminal portion for engaging a contact on the battery and a lug for engaging a contact piece joined to circuitry within the casing. A cover slidably mounted on the terminal plate and being movable to a closed position where a latching part engages a mating latching portion on the casing to return the cover in the closed position with the terminal portion engaging the battery terminal and joined to circuitry in the casing.

SPECIFICATION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to an electronic equipment, such as a taperecorder, a disc player or a radio receiver. More particularly, itrelates to an electronic equipment having a cell container forcontaining a cell.

2. Background Art

In electronic equipments, such as tape-recorders, disc players or radioreceivers, some are constructed for being fed with current from anexternal equipment, or exchanging information signals with the externalequipments.

In these sorts of the electronic equipments, plug jacks are provided onan outer casing of the main body of the equipment, and a plug providedon one end of a connection cord drawn out of the external equipment isconnected to this plug jack for establishing electrical connection withthe external equipment.

On the other hand, some of the electronic equipments, such astape-recorders, disc players or radio receivers, are designed so as tobe portable.

With the portable electronic equipments, cells are used for a powersource. Therefore, these electronic equipments are designed to fit theshape of the cell contained therein. The cell container designed tohouse a cylindrically-shaped cell has a cylindrically-shaped space forhousing the cell. The cell container having such housing spaceoccasionally has an opening in one end face of the cylindrically-shapedhousing space for insertion and detachment of the cell via this opening.The cylindrically-shaped cell is inserted and removed with respect tosuch cell container with the longitudinal direction as theinserting/detachment direction.

The cell container has an opening/closure member for opening/closing theopening for preventing detachment of the cell housed therein. Theopening/closure member has a terminal plate for establishing electricalconnection between the cell housed within the cell container and anelectronic circuit contained in the main portion of the electronicequipment. The opening/closure member is rotatably mounted via a pivoton the main portion of the equipment.

Meanwhile, the opening/closure member opening or closing the opening issized to sufficiently cover the entire surface of the opening forpositively holding the cell housed within the cell container and forpreventing intrusion of dust and dirt into the main portion of theapparatus via the opening. In addition, the opening needs to be closedreliably.

On the inner lateral surface of the opening/closure member is mounted aterminal plate. This terminal plate is formed by a thin metal sheet andhence is deformed easily. If the terminal plate is deformed, it iscontacted with an electrode of the cell different from the electrodewith which the terminal plate is to be contacted thus shorting the cell.Thus the opening/closure member is sized to cover the terminal plate inits entirety for preventing an unneeded force from being applied to theterminal plate provided on the inner lateral surface thereof.

In addition, the pivot supporting the opening/closure member is providedoutside of the opening. The reason is that, if the pivot is mountedfacing the opening, the cell cannot be inserted or detached and if thepivot is mounted facing the outside of the main portion of theequipment, the equipment is impaired in appearance.

Thus the opening/closure member is sized to cover the entire surface ofthe opening and to cover the pivot mounted outside the opening.

If the opening/closure member is increased in size in this manner, themain portion of the equipment is also increased in size, making itimpossible to reduce the overall size of the apparatus in its entirety.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention to reduce the size of the electronicequipment having a cell container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicequipment capable of reliably closing the cell container for preventingdetachment of the cell contained therein.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic equipment in which the power source of the cell housed withinthe cell container can be reliably supplied to an electronic circuit inthe main portion of the apparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicequipment capable of sufficiently maintaining the reliability of theopening/closure member when opening or closing the opening in the cellcontainer.

An electronic equipment of the present invention, proposed foraccomplishing the above object, has a cell container having an openingand adapted for containing a cell inserted via the opening, and anopening/closure member for opening/closing the cell container. Aterminal plate is provided on the opening/closure member and adapted forbeing contacted with a terminal of the cell when the opening is closedby the opening/closure member. The electronic equipment also has holdingmeans for holding the opening/closure member at a position of closingthe opening, and a connecting portion provided on the cell container andadapted for being engaged with the terminal plate when theopening/closure member is at a position of closing the opening.

The terminal plate has its one end rotatably supported by the cellcontainer and has a mounting portion and a terminal portion mounted onits other portion. The mounting portion mounts the opening/closuremember and the terminal portion contacts with a terminal of the cellhoused within the cell container. Thus the opening/closure member isrotatably supported via the terminal plate in the cell container.

An electronic equipment according to the present invention also includesa cell container for housing a cylindrically-shaped cell inserted froman opening of a main portion of the equipment, an opening/closure memberfor opening/closing the opening, a second terminal portion moved alongwith the opening/closure member and adapted for being connected to theother terminal of the cylindrically-shaped cell contained in the cellcontainer as the opening is closed by the opening/closure member, andconnection means disengaged from the second terminal portion when theopening/closure member is at the position of opening the opening. Thecell container has a first terminal portion connected to one of theterminals of the cylindrically-shaped cell. The connection means iselectrically connected with the second terminal portion when theopening/closure member is at a position of closing the opening.

The second terminal portion has a protrusion and a mounting portion formounting the opening/closure member. The protrusion is electricallyconnected to the connection means when the opening/closure member is ina state of closing the opening.

The opening/closure member is moved relative to the second terminalportion. There is provided holding means which is moved relative to thesecond terminal portion when the opening/closure member is at theposition of closing the opening for maintaining the opening/closuremember in a state of closing the opening.

The holding means has an engagement portion on one of the main portionof the equipment and the opening/closure member and a mating engagementportion on the other of the main body portion of the equipment and theopening/closure member. The opening/closure member is moved relative tothe terminal plate in a direction in which the engagement portion isengaged with the mating engagement portion when the opening/closuremember is moved to a position of closing the opening. The engagementportion and the mating engagement portion are engaged with each otherfor maintaining the opening/closure member at a position of closing theopening.

The opening/closure member is rotatably mounted so as to have a centerof rotation in a space portion defined in the vicinity of the opening ofthe cell container between the opening/closure member closing theopening and the cell housed in the cell container.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of preferred embodiments inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape recorder as an electronicequipment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a right-hand side view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 4 is a left-hand side view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 7 is a back-side view of the tape recorder.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a cell container formedin the tape recorder.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cell container with the opening/closingmember mounted on the cell container.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a cell container showing the state of closureof the opening in the cell container with an opening/closure member.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner structure of thecell container.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing essential portions of the cell containerand the opening/closure member.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional side view showing the state of opening andclosure of the opening formed in the cell container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a flexible printed circuit boardmounted within the tape recorder.

FIG. 15 is a plan view showing the mounting state of a plug jack forsupplying the power source.

FIG. 16 is a back-side view showing the mounting state of the plug jack.

FIG. 17 is a side view showing a flexible printed circuit board mountedon the tape recorder.

FIG. 18 is a top view showing the flexible printed circuit board.

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram showing the circuit construction of a powersource unit of the electronic equipment of a tape recorder.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, preferred embodiment of the present inventionwill be explained in detail.

The following embodiments are directed to a digital tape recorder forconverting information signals, such as acoustic signals, into digitalsignals for recording and/or reproduction.

The tape recorder 1, to which the present invention is applied, is sizedso as to be portable, and has a casing 2 constituting a main portion ofthe apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. This casing 2 is made up of anupper half 2a and a lower half 2b abutted and connected to each other.Within the casing 2 is mounted a cassette loading unit 6 for holding atape cassette, not shown, as a recording medium for information signalsfor the tape recorder 1, for loading the tape cassette in the cassetteloading unit 6. The cassette loading unit 6 has a cassette holder 5 forholding a tape cassette, not shown, for loading the tape cassette at acassette loading position in the cassette loading unit 6. This cassetteholder 5 is supported by the casing 2 for rotation between a position ofloading the tape cassette in the cassette loading unit 6 and an ejectionposition for insertion/detachment of the tape cassette.

When the cassette holder 5 has been rotated to the position of loadingthe tape cassette on the cassette loading unit 6, the cassette holder 5closes the opening in the upper surface of the cassette loading unit 6,as shown in FIG. 1. The tape cassette loaded on the cassette loadingunit 6 can be ejected by rotating an ejection lever 4 provided on onelateral surface of the casing 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. That is, ifthe ejection lever 4 has been rotated, the cassette holder 5 is rotatedto the ejection position in which the cassette holder 5 is protruded outof the casing 2, thus enabling ejection of the tape cassette held by thecassette holder 5.

Within the casing 2 is mounted a tape driving unit for running amagnetic tape housed within the tape cassette loaded on the cassettemounting unit 6 and for recording and/or reproducing information signalsfor the magnetic tape. Thus tape driving unit is made up of a rotarymagnetic head unit having a tape guide drum around which the magnetictape is placed obliquely over a pre-set angular extent, and a reeldriving shaft for rotating a tape reel having a magnetic tape placedthereon for running the magnetic tape. Within the casing is arranged anelectronic circuit for controlling the operation of the tape drivingunit and for controlling the recording/reproduction of informationsignals.

On the upper surface of the casing 2 carrying the cassette loading unit6 is mounted a display unit 7 for displaying the operating mode of thetape driving unit and for displaying addresses or the like ofinformation signals recorded and/or reproduced on or from the magnetictape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The display unit 7 is constructed usinga display element such as a liquid crystal device (LCD).

On the upper surface of the casing 2 are mounted pushbuttons 8, 10, 11and a slide switch 9, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. On the front side ofthe casing 2 are also mounted plural pushbutton switches 16 to 19, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The pushbutton switches 8, 8 provided on theupper surface of the casing 2 are volume switches for adjusting theplayback output level of the acoustic signals reproduced by the taperecorder 1. The remaining one 10 of the pushbutton switches mounted onthe upper surface of the casing 2 is a pause switch for transientlyhalting the running of the magnetic tape. The further remainingpushbutton switches 11 are switches for selecting the display contentsof the display unit 7. The slide switch 9 arranged on the upper surfaceof the casing 2 is a recording mode selecting switch for selecting therecording mode.

The pushbutton switch 16 arranged on the front side of the casing 2 is aplayback mode selection switch for selecting the playback mode. Thepushbutton switch 17 arranged on the front side of the casing 2 is ahalt switch for stopping the operation of the tape driving unit. Thepushbutton switch 18 arranged on the front side of the casing 2 is afast feed selection switch for selecting the fast feed mode for runningthe magnetic tape at an elevated speed. The pushbutton switch 19arranged on the front side of the casing 2 is a rewind mode selectionswitch for selecting the winding mode for rewinding the magnetic tape.

On the other opposite lateral surface of the casing 2 are mounted a plugjack 13 for microphone connection to which is connected a microphoneunit for collecting external sound for recording on a magnetic tape, anda plug jack 14 for headphone connection to which is connected aheadphone device for converting the acoustic signals reproduced by thetape recorder 1 into sound, as shown in FIG. 4. On the opposite lateralsurface of the casing 2 is mounted an operating mode holding switch 12for holding the operating mode which has selected the present taperecorder.

On the back surface of the casing 2 is connected a plug jack 25connected to a plug provided on a connection cord for entering theinformation signals from the external equipment, such as a disc player,to this tape recorder 1, and a plug jack 26 for outputting informationsignals connected to a plug provided on a connection cord for outputtingthe information signals, such as acoustic signals reproduced by the taperecorder 1, as shown in FIG. 7. On the back surface of the casing 2 ismounted a plug jack 27 for supplying the power source connected to aconnection plug for power source supply for supplying the driving powersource of the tape recorder 1. That is, the external power source may besupplied to the tape recorder 1 via the plug jack 27 for supplying thepower source.

On the bottom surface of the casing 2 is mounted a connecting portion 24having a connection terminal for connecting the tape recorder to otherequipments, such as a disc player or a speaker unit. When out of use,the connecting portion 24 is closed by an opening/closing lid 22, asshown in FIG. 6. The opening/closing lid 22 is mounted on the casing 2for closing the connecting portion 24 by having a retention pawl 23retained by a portion of the casing 2.

The casing 2 is provided with a cell container 31 for housing a cell 60operating as a power source for driving the preset tape recorder. Thecell container 31 is sized so as to be large enough to accommodate a"tan-3" sized cylindrically-shaped cell 60, and is formed for extendingalong the front side in register with the cassette mounting portion 6within the casing 2.

The cell container 31 is formed by a substantially semicylindricallyshaped cell holder 30 arranged for extending along the front side of thecasing 2 and a portion of a frame 36 arranged within the casing 2, asshown in FIG. 8. This frame 36 is formed by bending a thin metal sheetinto a rectangle and interconnecting the bent end portions, and is usedfor attachment of a printed circuit board constituting the tape drivingunit and the electronic circuit. The side of the frame 36 of the metalsheet facing the cell 60 has affixed thereto an insulating sheet forassuring positive electrical insulation between the frame 36 and thecell 60.

The upper and lower halves 2a, 2b making up the casing 2 are unifiedwith the cell holder 30 by being engaged with engagement grooves 32a,32b formed in a rib 32 formed longitudinally on the outer peripheralsurface of the cell holder 30, as shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 11.

One end of the cell holder 31, that is the side facing a lateral surfaceof the casing 2, is formed with an opening 31a for insertion anddetachment of the cell 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This opening 31ais sized to be matched to the end face of the cell 60 accommodated inthe cell container 31. Thus the cylindrically-shaped cell 60 is insertedinto and detached from the cell container 31 with the longitudinaldirection as the inserting and detachment direction.

On an inner end face of the cell container 31 is mounted a terminalmember 57 formed by a coil spring formed in turn by winding anelectrically conductive metallic wire, as shown in FIG. 9. The distalend of the coil spring electrically connected to a negative electrode ofthe cell 60 contained in the cell container is reduced in diameter. Theterminal member 57 is mounted via a mounting plate 58 mounted on theinner end of the cell container 31. That is, the terminal member 57formed by the coil spring has its large-diameter proximal end retainedby a retainer 58a provided on the mounting plate 58 and has its terminalportion 80 protruded from the proximal end into the interior of theframe 31. This terminal portion 80 is electrically connected to aflexible printed circuit board 73 extended along the inner lateralsurface of the frame 31 and is electrically connected via this flexibleprinted circuit board 73 to a printed circuit board constituting anelectronic circuit mounted on the frame, as shown in FIG. 9.

The terminal member 57, formed by a coil spring, is adapted forpressuring the cell 60 housed within the cell container 31 against aterminal plate 44 as later enplaned.

On an opened side 31a of the cell container 31 is mounted anopening/closing member 3 adapted or opening/closing the opened end 31a.This opening/closing member 3 is mounted on the cell container 31 via asupporting member 37 arranged on the opened end 31a of the cellcontainer 31 and a terminal plate 44 rotatably mounted on thissupporting member 37.

The supporting member 37 is formed by molding an electrically insulatingsynthetic material, and is designed for supporting the outer peripheralsurface of the cylindrically-shaped cell 60 contained in the cellcontainer 31. That is, a rectangular-shaped space is defined between thesubstantially semispherically-shaped cell holder 30, the bottom surfaceof the cell holder 30 and a flat lateral surface of the frame 36. Thus,if the cylindrically-shaped cell 60 is contained in the cell holder 31,there is defined a substantially triangular-shaped space on theperipheral surface of the cell 60. Thus it becomes impossible to supportthe cell 60 contained in the cell container 31 reliably in position. Thesupporting member 37 is formed with a cell supporting surface 40matching the outer peripheral surface of the cell 60. Thus, bysupporting the outer peripheral surface of the cell 60 contained in thecell container 31 by a cell supporting surface 40, the cell 60 can besupported in position within the cell container 31.

On the back surface of the supporting member 37 facing a lateral surfaceof the frame 36 when the supporting member 37 is mounted within the cellcontainer 31, there is formed an engagement protrusion 41 having anengagement groove 41a engaged with both lateral surfaces of a cut-out36a formed in the frame 36, as shown in FIG. 10. This supporting member37 is supported by the frame 36 by inserting the engagement protrusion41 from the opened end of the cut-out 36a for engaging the engagementgroove 41a with both sides of the cut-out 36a. The supporting member 37is secured to the frame 36 as shown in FIG. 11 by a set screw 39inserted via a tapped hole 38 formed in the supporting member 37 asshown in FIG. 8.

The supporting member 37 carries a pair of supporting shafts 42, 42 asshown in FIGS. 8 and 10. These supporting shafts 42, 42 are mounted onan end portion of the supporting member 37 towards the opening 31a whenthe supporting member 37 is arranged mounted in the cell container 31.These supporting shafts 42 are positioned coaxially within thesubstantially triangular spaces defined by a lateral surface of theframe 36 and the outer peripheral surface of the cell 60 housed withinthe cell container 31. That is, the supporting shafts 42 are arrangedwithin the substantially triangular spaces delimited by an outer lateralsurface of the cell 60 contained in the cell container 31 and theopening/closing member 3.

The terminal plate 44 is formed by bending an electrically conductivemetallic sheet, such as phosphor bronze, and has supporting pieces 43retained by the supporting shafts 42 so that the terminal plate will besupported by the holder 37, as shown in FIG. 8. The supporting piecesare formed by warping both lateral side portions of the proximal end ofthe terminal plate. That is, the terminal plate 44 may be turned in thedirections indicated by arrows A₁, A₂ in FIGS. 8 and 9. The terminalplate 44 is formed as a tongue and has a center terminal portion 45 andan end engagement potion 46. The terminal portion 45 is electricallycontacted with the anode of the cell 60 contained in the cell container31.

The opening/closing member 3, rotatably supported via the terminal plate44 for opening/closing the opening 31a of the cell container 31, isformed by molding an electrically insulating synthetic resin material,and is mounted for sliding with respect to the terminal plate 44. Theinner lateral surface of the opening/closing member 3 is formed with apair of engagement portions 55 adapted for being engaged with both innerlateral sides of the terminal plate 44, as shown in FIG. 8. Anengagement recess 56 engaged by an engagement portion 46 of the terminalplate 44 is formed between these engagement portions 55. That is, theopening/closing member 3 is slid in the directions towards and away fromthe supporting shafts 42, with the engagement portions 55 being guidedby the terminal plate 44 within the possible range of movement withinthe engagement recess 56, as indicated by arrows C₁, C₂ in FIG. 8.

The engagement recess 56 has a proximal lateral surface 56a forcontrolling the sliding position relative to the engagement piece 46 andfor preventing inadvertent detachment of the opening/closure member 3from the terminal plate 44.

When turned to the position of closing the opening 31a in cooperationwith the opening/closing member 3, the terminal portion 45 is contactedwith an anode 61 of the cell 60 contained in the cell container 31.

On a lateral side of the proximal end of the terminal plate 44 formedwith the supporting portions 43, 43 is formed a lug 50. When theopening/closing member 3 is turned to a position of closing the opening31a of the opening/closure member 3, the lug 50 is electricallycontacted, in the substantially triangular portions defined between thelateral side of the frame 36 and the outer peripheral surface of thecell 60 contained in the cell container 31, with an electricallyconductive flexible connecting piece 48 fitted on the supporting member37. This connecting piece 48 is fitted in a fitting groove 47 formed inthe supporting member 37. On the distal end of the connecting piece 48is mounted a flexible terminal portion 49 formed by warping a portion ofthe connecting piece 48. That is, when the opening/closing member 3 isturned to a position of closing the opening 31a, the lug 50 formed onthe terminal plate 44 is engaged and electrically contacted with anotherterminal portion 49 of the connecting piece 48 as the lug elasticallyflexes the terminal portion 49.

With the lug 50 thus being contacted with the terminal portion 49, theterminal plate 44 is electrically connected via the connecting piece 48with an electronic circuit provided within the casing 2.

After the opening/closing member 3 is turned along with the terminalplate 44 for closing the opening 31a of the cell container 31, theopening/closing member 3 is moved in a direction approaching thesupporting shafts 42 as indicated by arrow C₁ in FIG. 9, with theengagement portions 55 being guided along the terminal plate 44, forclosing the opening 31a and the terminal plate 44 in their entirety.

On the outer peripheral surface of the opening/closure member 3excluding its proximal portion supported by the supporting shafts 42 isformed an upstanding peripheral wall 53, as shown in FIG. 8. On one ofthe inner lateral surfaces of the proximal end of the peripheral wall 53is formed an engagement portion 52. On one end of the cell holder 30 isformed a mating engagement portion 35 adapted for being engaged with theengagement portion 52 of the opening/closure member 3, as shown in FIG.8. When the opening/closure member 3 is turned to a position of closingthe opening 31a of the cell container 31 and thereby slid towards thesupporting shafts 42, the engagement piece 52 is engaged with the matingengagement portion 35 as the engagement piece elastically flexes themating engagement portion in a direction indicated by arrow B in FIG.12. With the engagement portion 52 being engaged with the matingengagement portion 35, the opening/closure member 3 is locked at aposition of closing the opening 31a.

On the inner lateral surface 53 of the opening/closure member 3 areprotuberantly formed a pair of retention protrusions 51, as shown inFIG. 8. When the opening/closure member 3 has closed the opening 31a ofthe cell container 31 and is slid relative to the terminal plate 44, theretention protrusions 51 are engaged in an engagement groove 34 formedon one end face of the cell supporting member 30. With the engagementpiece 52 and the engagement protrusions 51 thus being engaged in themating engagement portion 35 and in the engagement groove 34,respectively, the opening/closure member 3 is reliably locked at theposition of closing the opening 31a for controlling inadvertent openingfor positively supporting the cell 60 housed within the cell container31 while positively establishing electrical connection between the cell60 and the cell circuit within the casing 2.

The proximal end of the opening/closure member 3 is formed with aprotuberant engagement piece 54 engaged with a portion of the casing 2when the opening/closure member 3 is turned to a position of closing theopening 31a and is further slid towards the supporting shafts 42. Withthe engagement piece 54 thus engaged with the casing 2, theopening/closure member 3 is limited with respect to the inadvertentrotation, while the cell 60 contained in the cell container 31 issupported reliably.

The opening/closure member 31 in the state of closing the opening 31a ofthe cell container 31 is slid with respect to the terminal plate 44 in adirection indicated by arrow C₂ in FIGS. 8, 9 and 13 for beingdisengaged from the casing 2 and turned in a direction A2 in FIGS. 8, 9and 13 about the supporting shafts 42 as the center of rotation foropening the opening 31a.

The tape recorder embodying the present invention is fed with the dccurrent from outside the apparatus via a connection terminal 69 providedon the plug jack 27 used for supplying the power from the power source,as shown in FIG. 19. A power source input terminal 84 of the connectionterminal portion 69 is connected via a line filter 82 to a power sourcevoltage portion (+B) of a substrate of a power source 88. The connectionterminal portion 69 has its grounding terminal 85 connected via a linefilter 82 to a grounding portion (+B·GND) of the substrate 88 via theline filter 82. The power source voltage portion (+B) and the groundingportion (+B≈GND) are connected to an electronic circuit 91 arrangedwithin the casing 2 for supplying the power of the power source to theelectronic circuit 91.

The grounding terminal 85 of the connection terminal portion 69 isconnected to the cathode of the cell 60 housed within the cell container31. The anode of the cell 60 is connected to the power source voltageportion (+B·SW) of the power source substrate 88. The power sourcevoltage portion (+B·SW) is connected via a changeover switch 89 to theelectronic circuit 91. That is, if the changeover switch 89 is the ONstate, the power from the cell 60 is sent to the electronic circuit 91,whereas, if the changeover switch 89 is in the OFF state, the powersupply from the cell 60 to the electronic circuit 91 is interrupted,while only the power supplied via the connecting terminal portion 69 issupplied to the electronic circuit 91.

A secondary cell 90 is connected across the power source voltage portion(B·GND) and the 3 V input portion of the power source substrate 88. Thissecondary cell 90 is used for holding a memory enclosed in a taperecorder or driving a timepiece.

Such electric circuit is constituted by a sole flexible printed circuitboard 73, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 18. That is, the plug jack 27,provided with the connecting terminal portion 69, is mounted on theframe 36 by being held by a holding member 62. This holding member 62 isformed by bending a thin metallic plate in the shape of a letter U andhas the distal end of a first bent piece 63a on an upper arm portionthereof in FIG. 14 secured to the frame 36 by a set screw 65. Theholding member 62 is adapted for clamping the plug jack 27 between thefirst bent piece 63a and a second bent piece 63b facing the first bentpiece 63a. The first bent piece 63a of the holding member 62 has apositioning groove 66 in which are fitted positioning pins 70, 71protuberantly formed on the upper surface of the plug jack 27. Asupporting piece 68 adapted for supporting the back surface of the plugjack 27 is segmented from an inner portion of the second bent piece 63bof the holding member 62. An insulating sheet is arranged between thesupporting piece 68 and the plug jack 27.

On one end of the flexible printed circuit board 73 is formed a jackmounting portion 75 designed for mounting the plug jack 27 thereon. To aconnecting portion formed on the jack mounting portion 75 iselectrically connected a connecting terminal portion 69 of the plug jack27 using a solder. The jack mounting portion 75 is formed withthrough-holes 72 into which are introduced the positioning pins 71 ofthe plug jack 27. On the flexible printed circuit board 73 is connecteda line filter 82 in proximity to the plug jack 27. On one end of teflexible printed circuit board 73 is mounted a line filter mountingportion 74 in the vicinity of the jack mounting portion holding member62 by having its portion lying between the plug jack 27 and the linefilter 82 coiled around the first bent portion 63a. Thus the line filter82 is arranged in a state of being set on the upper portion of the plugjack 27.

The flexible printed circuit board 73 is electrically connected to apower source substrate 88 and to an electronic circuit 91 via aconnecting portion 83 formed by bending its mid portion and by aconnecting portion 81 on its opposite side portion.

To a wiring pattern formed on the flexible printed circuit board 73 areconnected a terminal plate 44 as a first terminal portion and a terminalmember 57 as a second terminal portion. The first and second terminalportions are adapted for being contacted with the respective electrodesof the cell 60 contained in the cell container 31. Specifically, on amid portion of the flexible printed circuit board 73, there is mounted aconnecting piece 76 having a connecting portion 77 to which is soldereda connecting piece 48 electrically connected to the terminal plate 44operating as the first terminal portion on the anode side. Anotherconnecting piece 48 is connected to the connecting piece 76. Theflexible printed circuit board 73 is provided with a connecting portion78 to which is soldered the proximal end of the terminal member 57operating as a second terminal portion on the cathode side.

Meanwhile, the connecting portion 78 is formed on the distal end of abent piece 83 formed by segmenting a mid portion of the flexible printedcircuit board 73, as shown in FIG. 14. The terminal member 57 isconnected to this connecting portion 78 by inserting a terminal portion80 protuberantly formed on the proximal end of the terminal member 57.The bent piece 83 has a mid bent portion for retention of the proximalend of the terminal member 57.

The flexible printed circuit board 73 is arranged for extending alongthe frame 36, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, so as to be reliablyconnected to the electronic circuit 91 without imposing mechanical loadon the connecting piece 48 nor on the terminal member 57.

In the plug jack 27 provided on the casing 2 for power supply is fitteda plug member 102 of a connection plug 101 provided on the distal end ofa connection cord connected to an external equipment provided with anac/dc converter or a power source unit, as shown in FIG. 17.

Although the above-described embodiments are directed to a taperecorder, the present invention may also be directly applied to anelectronic equipment, such as a radio receiver, or a disc player havinga cell container having the cell enclosed therein. That is, theabove-mentioned merits can be realized by application to any cellcontainers provided on the electronic equipments.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

With the electronic equipment according to the present invention, theterminal plate contacted with a terminal of a cell housed within thecell container is provided on an opening/closure member adapted foropening or closing the cell container, while a mechanism for holding theopening/closure member at the closure position is provided on the mainbody member of the equipment. In addition, a connecting portion engagedwith a terminal plate when the opening/closure member is at the positionof closing the opening is provided on the cell container. Thus, if theopening/closure member is closed with the cell contained in the cellcontainer, positive electrical connection with the electronic circuit inthe main body portion of the equipment may be realized, while theopening/closure member may be held at the position of closing theopening.

Thus, with the electronic equipment of the present invention, reliableelectrical connection may be established between the cell contained inthe cell container and the electronic circuit in the main body portionby closure of the opening by the opening/closure member, while the cellmay be reliably held within the cell container.

Since the opening/closure member is mounted for rotation with a centerof rotation disposed in a space portion defined by the opening/closuremember closing the opening in the vicinity of the opening of the cellcontainer and the cell contained in the cell container, it becomespossible to reduce the size of the mounting space and that of the mainbody portion of the electronic equipment.

I claim:
 1. An electronic equipment comprising:a cell container havingan opening for containing a cylindrically-shaped cell inserted via saidopening; a cover for opening/closing said opening of said cell containerhaving a slot on an inside main surface and a sidewall; a conductiveterminal plate having a first end rotatable supported by said cellcontainer and including a mounting portion for slidably supporting saidcover by engaging said slot of said cover and a first terminal portionfor electrically contacting a terminal of said cell when said opening isclosed by said cover, said cover being moved to a closed position bysliding said cover in a direction toward said first end of said terminalplate; holding means for holding said cover in said closed positionincluding:a first protrusion formed on a side of an inner surface ofsaid sidewall of said cover, a second protrusion formed on a side ofsaid cell container for engaging with said first protrusion when saidcover is slid toward said closed position, said sidewall of said coverbeing adapted to outwardly deflect when said first protrusion rides oversaid second protrusion while said cover is slid toward said closedposition and said first protrusion engaging with said second protrusionwhen said cover is in said closed position; and a connecting portionprovided on said cell container for engaging and electrically connectingwith said terminal plate when said cover is slid to said closedposition.
 2. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid terminal plate further includes a second terminal portion on saidfirst end for engaging and electrically connecting with said connectingportion.
 3. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidconnecting portion comprises an elastically deformed member, and whereinwhen said cover is moved toward said closed position, said connectingportion is elastically deformed by said second terminal portion of saidterminal plate for forming an electrical connection therebetween.
 4. Anelectronic equipment comprising:a main body portion; a cell containerfor housing a cylindrically-shaped cell inserted through an opening ofsaid main body portion and formed of a section having a substantiallysemicylindrical shape adjacent a flat wall, said cell being insertedinto the cell container in an axial direction thereof and being held insaid cell container by contacting said flat wall and a portion of saidsemicylindrical shaped section, said cell container having a pair ofraised portions filling a space between said flat wall and said cellinserted in said cell container, wherein said cell container includes afirst terminal portion connected to a first of two terminals of saidcylindrically-shaped cell; a cover for opening/closing said opening; asecond terminal portion for slidably supporting said cover and adaptedfor being connected to a second terminal of said cylindrically-shapedcell contained in said cell container as said opening is closed by saidcover, said second terminal portion being rotatably supported on one endto said cell container by a pair of supporting shafts coaxiallypositioned with each other and located in said pair of raised portions;and connection means provided in said cell container and disengaged fromsaid second terminal portion when said cover is in an open position andelectrically connected with said second terminal portion when said coveris in a closed position.
 5. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim4, wherein said second terminal portion further includes a lug and amounting portion for slidably supporting said cover, wherein said lug iselectrically connected to said connection means when said cover is insaid closed position.
 6. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim 5,wherein said connection means includes a flexible terminal portion whichis flexibly engaged and electrically connected with said lug when saidcover is slid to said closed position.
 7. The electronic equipment asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said lug and said mounting portion of saidsecond terminal portion are formed by electrically conductiveplate-shaped members.
 8. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim 5,wherein said cover slides relative to said second terminal portion andfurther includes holding means for holding said cover in said closedposition, thereby maintaining said cover in said closed position.
 9. Theelectronic equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said holding meanshas an engagement portion on one of said cell container and said coverand a mating engagement portion on the other one of said cell containerand said cover, and wherein when said cover is slid relative to saidsecond terminal portion in a direction toward said pair of supportingshafts said engagement portion is engaged with said mating engagementportion, whereby said engagement portion and said mating engagementportion are engaged with each other for maintaining said cover at saidclosed position.